Incarcerated 5-mm Port Site Hernia: A Systematic Literature Review and Case Report
Port site hernias are a recognized complication of laparoscopic surgery and carry a high risk of strangulation because of the small size of the defect involved. Most hernias occur in trocar sites that are larger than 10 mm. This has resulted in the accepted practice that fascial defects larger than 10 mm are closed, incorporating the peritoneum and fascia, whereas defects less than 10 mm are not closed. We report a port site hernia at a 5-mm port site in a 90-year-old woman after ventral rectoplexy. A systematic review of literature found 27 cases of 5-mm port site herniation: 10 cases in general surgery and 17 cases in gynecological surgery. The possibility of herniation through 5-mm port sites should be known to avoid a delay in recognition, diagnosis, and treatment.Background
Results
Conclusion
The incidence of trocar site hernias ranges from 0.65% to 2.8%.1 The rates are related to trocar size.2 A meta-analysis of port site hernias in gastrointestinal surgery found that 18 hernias occurred in 1780 port sites larger than 10 mm, whereas no hernias occurred at the 4444 ports sites smaller than 10 mm.3 It is widely accepted that it is not necessary to close fascial defects in adults in port sites <10 mm.4 We present a case report of a 5-mm trocar site hernia.
Case Report
A 90-year-old woman underwent ventral rectoplexy after a 2-week history of full-thickness rectal prolapse. A 10–12 Hassan umbilical port was inserted, followed by three 5-mm ports in the right upper quadrant, left flank, and suprapubic regions. There was extensive adhesionolysis (secondary to previous midline exploratory laparotomy for appendicitis and laparoscopic-assisted vaginal hysterectomy). The total operative time was 120 minutes. The 10- to 12-mm port site fascia was closed using 1-0 Vicryl with a Karta Thompson laparoscopic suture passer, and the anterior recuts sheath was closed with interrupted 1-0 Maxon sutures. The 5-mm incisions were not closed at the fascial level. All sites were closed using INSORB 3-0 monocryl subcuticular sutures. The patient's recovery was unremarkable.
As an inpatient, at postoperative day 5, the patient reported abdominal pain and vomiting and had not opened her bowels in the preceding 24 hours. On examination, she was afebrile, with a distended abdomen and a tender palpable mass at her left flank port site. A computed tomography scan was performed, which suggested a small bowel obstruction from an incarcerated hernia in the left iliac fossa (Figs. 1 and 2). An emergency laparotomy identified the hernia, and the defect was enlarged transversely. The erythematous, not edematous, bowel was reduced, and the hernial orifice closed with 1-0 interrupted mattress sutures Polydioxanone (PDS), mass closure of abdominal wall, and subcuticular INSORB 3-0 monocryl sutures. The patient was admitted to the intensive care unit postoperatively for 3 days and then discharged to the ward for postsurgical optimization before her return to independent living.
Citation: International Surgery 104, 11-12; 10.9738/INTSURG-D-17-00115.1
Citation: International Surgery 104, 11-12; 10.9738/INTSURG-D-17-00115.1
Literature Review
A literature search was conducted in Ovid and Cochrane databases using the following search strategy: ((Port site hernia) OR (Laparoscopic port hernia) OR (trocar site hernia)) AND ((5-mm) OR (5mm) OR (five mm)). The date last searched was 29 May 2016. Reference lists of relevant studies were searched by hand to identify additional publications. Studies were excluded if they were not written in English or did not specify port size. Studies included reported laparoscopic port site hernias in an adult population.
Data were extracted on the surgical specialty, type of operation, port size and type where available, port site, patient characteristics (age, body mass index), time from surgery to hernia presentation, presence of organ evisceration in hernia, management of the hernia, and any comments on the case.
Databases and reference lists searched yielded 358 articles, and the full text of 105 studies were examined. Based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 20 studies were included (Tables 1–3). One study was a retrospective review, 1 was a prospective cohort study, and the remaining 18 were case reports.
There were 27 cases of 5-mm trocar site hernias. There were 10 cases in general surgery: 9 case reports and 1 case in a prospective cohort trial. There were 17 cases in gynecological surgery: 12 case reports and 5 cases in a retrospective cohort trial.
Discussion and Conclusion
Surgical factors contributing to the development of hernias include the number of trocars, trocar size, location, trocar type, manipulation, the duration of procedure, drain positioning through the port sites, entry, and closure techniques.2,5 Additionally, patient factors contributing to an increased rate of trocar site herniation's may include preexisting fascial defects, obesity, and surgical site infections.5
Extensive manipulation of trocar sites may widen the port site incision fascia and peritoneum beyond the initial length. Stretching may occur secondary to specimen removal, multiple reinsertions of the sheath, increased force and torque on the fascia, and prolonged operative time. The retrospective review by Nezhat et al6 noted that each of the 5 surgeries resulting in trocar site hernias were associated with surgical difficulties. For example, extensive adhesions, as seen in our case, required extensive manipulation from the trocar sites.
Laparoscopic port site herniation is a preventable cause of morbidity that requires a second, often emergent (or unplanned), surgical procedure to repair. All fascial defects larger than or equal to 10 mm should be closed at the fascial level. Smaller defects may require closure in certain circumstances to prevent subsequent herniation; in particular, where port sites have been subjected to additional unanticipated mechanical stress throughout the procedure. After laparoscopic procedures, patients reporting postoperative incisional swelling or gastrointestinal obstructive symptoms should be expediently evaluated for possible bowel herniation, regardless of port size used to avoid delays in diagnosis and treatment.
Observational case report ethics approval from an ethics committee or institutional review board was not required.
Axial computer topography images of the patient on postoperative day 5. A hernia can be visualized in the left iliac fossa at her left flank laparoscopic port site.
Sagittal computer topography images of the patient on postoperative day 5. A hernia can be visualized in the left iliac fossa at her left flank laparoscopic port site.
Contributor Notes